EP1381642A1 - Geschäumter holz-plastic-verbund mit niedriger dichte und verfahren zu seiner herstellung - Google Patents

Geschäumter holz-plastic-verbund mit niedriger dichte und verfahren zu seiner herstellung

Info

Publication number
EP1381642A1
EP1381642A1 EP02728999A EP02728999A EP1381642A1 EP 1381642 A1 EP1381642 A1 EP 1381642A1 EP 02728999 A EP02728999 A EP 02728999A EP 02728999 A EP02728999 A EP 02728999A EP 1381642 A1 EP1381642 A1 EP 1381642A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wood
blowing agent
wood flour
extruder
plasticated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02728999A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
David F. Dostal
Michael P. Wolcott
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
University of Washington
Washington State University Research Foundation
Original Assignee
University of Washington
Washington State University Research Foundation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by University of Washington, Washington State University Research Foundation filed Critical University of Washington
Publication of EP1381642A1 publication Critical patent/EP1381642A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08JWORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J9/00Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof
    • C08J9/04Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent
    • C08J9/12Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent by a physical blowing agent
    • C08J9/122Hydrogen, oxygen, CO2, nitrogen or noble gases
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27NMANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL
    • B27N3/00Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres
    • B27N3/005Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres and foam
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27NMANUFACTURE BY DRY PROCESSES OF ARTICLES, WITH OR WITHOUT ORGANIC BINDING AGENTS, MADE FROM PARTICLES OR FIBRES CONSISTING OF WOOD OR OTHER LIGNOCELLULOSIC OR LIKE ORGANIC MATERIAL
    • B27N3/00Manufacture of substantially flat articles, e.g. boards, from particles or fibres
    • B27N3/08Moulding or pressing
    • B27N3/28Moulding or pressing characterised by using extrusion presses
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/34Auxiliary operations
    • B29C44/3442Mixing, kneading or conveying the foamable material
    • B29C44/3446Feeding the blowing agent
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/022Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the choice of material
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/09Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/285Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
    • B29C48/29Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder in liquid form
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/88Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
    • B29C48/90Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/88Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
    • B29C48/90Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article
    • B29C48/901Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article of hollow bodies
    • B29C48/903Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article of hollow bodies externally
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/88Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
    • B29C48/90Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article
    • B29C48/908Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling with calibration or sizing, i.e. combined with fixing or setting of the final dimensions of the extruded article characterised by calibrator surface, e.g. structure or holes for lubrication, cooling or venting
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08JWORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J9/00Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materials; After-treatment thereof
    • C08J9/0085Use of fibrous compounding ingredients
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2793/00Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
    • B29C2793/009Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation after shaping
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/02Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C44/12Incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or reinforcements
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/20Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of indefinite length
    • B29C44/22Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles for articles of indefinite length consisting of at least two parts of chemically or physically different materials, e.g. having different densities
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/34Auxiliary operations
    • B29C44/3469Cell or pore nucleation
    • B29C44/348Cell or pore nucleation by regulating the temperature and/or the pressure, e.g. suppression of foaming until the pressure is rapidly decreased
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/12Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/285Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/285Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
    • B29C48/295Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder in gaseous form
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/285Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
    • B29C48/297Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder at several locations, e.g. using several hoppers or using a separate additive feeding
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/355Conveyors for extruded articles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/88Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
    • B29C48/911Cooling
    • B29C48/9115Cooling of hollow articles
    • B29C48/912Cooling of hollow articles of tubular films
    • B29C48/913Cooling of hollow articles of tubular films externally
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/88Thermal treatment of the stream of extruded material, e.g. cooling
    • B29C48/911Cooling
    • B29C48/9135Cooling of flat articles, e.g. using specially adapted supporting means
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/0005Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing compounding ingredients
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/04Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped cellular or porous
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B29K2105/12Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2311/00Use of natural products or their composites, not provided for in groups B29K2201/00 - B29K2309/00, as reinforcement
    • B29K2311/10Natural fibres, e.g. wool or cotton
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2711/00Use of natural products or their composites, not provided for in groups B29K2601/00 - B29K2709/00, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
    • B29K2711/14Wood, e.g. woodboard or fibreboard
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08JWORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2201/00Foams characterised by the foaming process
    • C08J2201/02Foams characterised by the foaming process characterised by mechanical pre- or post-treatments
    • C08J2201/03Extrusion of the foamable blend
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08JWORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2323/00Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Derivatives of such polymers
    • C08J2323/02Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after treatment
    • C08J2323/04Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
    • C08J2323/06Polyethene

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to an extruded cellular wood-plastic composite and a process for making the same.
  • the present invention is specifically directed to an extruded wood-plastic composite of low density comprised of soft wood or hard wood flour and a thermoplastic resin produced by the introduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas, nitrogen (N 2 ) gas, or air as physical blowing agents into the extrusion process at low pressure.
  • the thermoplastic resin may be high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, or any other thermoplastic resin suitable for use in a wood-plastic composite.
  • the wood plastic composite produced by this process may be in the form of homogeneous foam or a form in which a dense skin is formed around a cellular core.
  • the current state of the art in the extrusion of cellular wood plastic composites produces cellular wood plastic composites containing poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene (PS) as the plastic resin.
  • Foaming is accomplished through the use of chemical blowing agents that add an appreciable amount to the cost of the product. Significant weight reduction of the extruded material must be accomplished by the use of these blowing agents to offset the increased cost.
  • the foams so produced are usually allowed to expand outward upon exiting from the die.
  • the extruded profile is then shaped and sized by methods known to those practiced in the art.
  • the composite may be extruded as a hollow profile and allowed to expand or foam inward. The profile is contained in an appropriate device to maintain the extruded shape in this alternate process.
  • Carbon dioxide has been successfully utilized as a physical blowing agent in the foaming of low-density micro-cellular plastics in an extrusion process (Park, B. et al., "Low density microcellular foam processing in extrusion using CO 2 " , Polymer Engineering and Science, p 1812, v.38, 1998).
  • the process required injection of the blowing agent at high pressures, utilized high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) as the plastic resin, and did not involve a wood-plastic composite material.
  • Extrusion processes using physical blowing agents, such as carbon dioxide currently produce cellular plastic material made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and PP.
  • HDPE high-density polyethylene
  • PP high-density polyethylene
  • the gas is introduced in high-pressure regions of the extruder and must be pumped into the extrusion at pressures between 1000 and 5000 psi.
  • the present invention is directed to a cellular wood plastic composite comprised of soft wood flour and high-density polyethylene wherein the ratio of wood flour to high-density polyethylene ranges from 1 :4 to 3:2.
  • the present invention is also directed to a process for forming a stable cellular wood plastic composite of low density comprising: mixing finely ground wood flour with plastic in an extruder to form a plasticated mixture; introducing a blowing agent into the plasticated material under pressure sufficient to drive the blowing agent into the plasticated mixture to form cells within the plasticated mixture, wherein the blowing agent is introduced under a pressure gradient in the extruder sufficient to increase the solubility of the blowing agent in the plasticated mixture and under a temperature sufficient to prevent collapse of the cells; and reducing the pressure prior to removing the plasticated mixture from the extruder.
  • the wood flour enhances the foaming process through two mechanisms with the first mechanism being the introduction of additional gases to the extrudate and the second being the altering of the viscosity of the extrudate. Residual moisture and other volatile gases are released from the wood during the extrusion process. These gases act as additional blowing agents.
  • the wood flour also increases the viscosity of the extrudate. This allows the extrudate to be processed at higher melt pressures without these higher pressures causing back flow of the extrudate into the vent manifold of the extruder. The higher pressures allow the blowing agent to disperse throughout the resin more readily and more completely, resulting in improved cell structure and increased cell density.
  • wood flour decreases the cost of the material by displacing a more expensive ingredient (plastic resin) as well as increasing the stiffness of the foam. Therefore, an enhanced process to foam wood-plastic composites is accomplished.
  • One advantage of the present invention is that the expensive chemical blowing agent used in the prior art to produce a foamed wood-plastic composite is now replaced with a less-expensive physical blowing agent.
  • a second advantage is that a member may be produced with a dense outer layer and a foam core utilizing only one extruder. Additional advantages are the low cost method of introducing the blowing agent, the decreased cost of materials needed for production, and the increased stiffness of the product when compared to plastic foam.
  • the product may be used for decorative moldings inside or outside of a house, picture frames, furniture, porch decks, window molding, window components, door components, and roofing systems. Other types of use are contemplated.
  • Fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating the process of the invention.
  • Wood flour with a particle size of 40 mesh or smaller derived from either hard or soft wood species may be used. Preferably the particle size is 60 mesh or smaller.
  • the moisture content of the wood flour may vary from less than 1 % to 9% . Higher moisture content results in lower density foam but increases cell size and increases the presence of voids in the foam structure.
  • the wood is dried to 1 % moisture content. Drying technologies are known to the art. A suitable example is a desiccant dryer manufactured by Premier Pneumatics, Inc. (Allentown, PA.).
  • wood flour is the preferred material for the present invention
  • the cellulosic material may also be a raw material including old newspapers, alfalfa, wheat pulp, wood chips, wood flakes, wood fibers, ground wood, wood veneers, wood laminates, kenaf, paper, cardboard, straw, and other cellulosic fibrous materials.
  • the cellulosic materials Prior to being combined with the other starting materials, the cellulosic materials should be dried to moisture content between approximately 1 % and 9% .
  • Preferred moisture content is no more than 2% . Drying technologies are known to the art. A suitable example is a desiccant dryer manufactured by Premier Pneumatics, Inc. (Allentown, PA.).
  • thermoplastic materials serve primarily as a process fluidizer. Most types of thermoplastic materials may be used, examples of which include multi- layer films, virgin thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethyl-vinyl acetate and waste plastic sawdust from other industries as well as other recyclable polymer materials.
  • virgin thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethyl-vinyl acetate and waste plastic sawdust from other industries as well as other recyclable polymer materials.
  • Thermoplastic materials are essential to the process of the present invention.
  • the developing cells in the mixture are formed in the thermoplastic portion of the material matrix.
  • Preferred types of thermoplastic materials that may be used are HDPE and PP.
  • the ratio of cellulosic fibers to the thermoplastic material is between approximately 3:2 and 1 :4.
  • Preferably the ratio between the cellulosic fibers to the thermoplastic material is approximately 2:3.
  • Blowing agents are added to decrease density by creating small bubbles or cells in the material.
  • the venting section of the screws provides an area for introduction of the blowing agent under low pressure.
  • Carbon dioxide or nitrogen from a standard 50 pound gas bottle or compressed air produced by a common air compressor and dried by passing through a refrigerated air dryer is injected into the extruder barrel using a two-stage regulator in the case of the bottled gases or a single stage regulator in the case of the compressed air.
  • Additives include cross-linking agents, lubricants, compatibilizers, and accelerators.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a twin-screw extruder 10, which is known to the art.
  • the extruder provides many projections and grooves that knead the materials causing them to combine more completely.
  • the extruder 10 includes a hopper 12 to receive and form a mixture of the wood flour and the thermoplastic material , the extruder body 14 for extruding the mixture; and a die 16 connected to the extruder.
  • Hopper The mixing of the materials prior to loading the extruder 10 may be accomplished by any simple mixing device. No heat is required during mixing and only an even distribution of the various components is required.
  • a drum tumbler may be used for small quantities or a larger batch-type mixer such as a ribbon blender known to the art may be used.
  • a typical feed hopper 12 used in this process may be a gravity feed, starve feed or force-feed (also known as a "crammer") hopper, depending on the flow characteristics of the particular compound.
  • Extruder The mixture of raw materials is then delivered to a heated extruder 14.
  • the extruder 14 utilizes low temperature mixing and extruding. This is unique in that most plastic mixing processes require mixing at a plasticization temperature, which is quite high.
  • the present mixing temperature is substantially lower, preferably around 340°F (171°C).
  • the material passing through the mixing zone of the extruder creates a mass of homogenous material at a certain temperature, approximately 325°F (163°C) - 350°F (177°C) depending upon the particular compound.
  • the present invention can be processed with any capacity extruder.
  • a counter-rotating and intermeshing twin screw, high pressure, extruder manufactured by Cincinnati Milacron (CM-55-HP) may be used in the preferred embodiment.
  • the process is accomplished by twin-screw extruders, which are heated to process temperatures sufficient to blend the product together into a homogenous mixture at low temperature.
  • the temperature of the extrudate is controlled at a level that is 5 - 15oF (2J-8.3°C) above the crystallization temperature of the thermoplastic. This prevents collapse of the product formed as will be described further on.
  • the temperature of the extruder used in the present invention is controlled by the extrusion speed, external extruder heaters, shearing action and heaters in the die system and monitored by thermocouples (not shown) and other monitoring circuits.
  • the purpose of the thermocouples is to monitor the heat at each station.
  • the flow rate of the extruder 14 is typically between about 100 and 2500 pounds per hour. In the preferred embodiment the flow rate is approximately 300 pounds per hour with a temperature at approximately 270°F (132C) - 325°F (163°C).
  • the product leaving the extruder is essentially unbounded round stock.
  • Various sized extruder orifices are available with a range from 25 millimeters (mm) to 72mm. In the preferred embodiment a 38mm orifice is used.
  • Zone 1 is the feed zone where the powdered or granular materials enter the flights of the screws from the hopper 12, via line 13. Heat applied from external sources and produced through shearing of the extrudate by the screws begins to melt the thermoplastic in this zone. In the preferred embodiment the temperature of this zone is maintained at 325°F (163°C).
  • Zone 2 is the first metering zone. In this zone, a seal is formed between the extruder barrel and the screws, which restricts the transfer of pressures developed in the vent zone (zone 3) back to the feed zone (zone 1). The temperature of this zone in the preferred embodiment is 340°F (171 °C).
  • Zone 3 is the vent zone. Due to the isolation of this zone by the seal formed in zone 2, positive or negative pressure may be maintained in the vent zone.
  • the blowing agent is present in this zone at a positive pressure of 60 psi and the temperature is maintained at 325°F (163°C).
  • Zone 4 is the second metering zone. The screw flights in this zone are designed to provide a pumping action that is capable of forcing the extrudate through the die at pressures of 600 psi - 6000 psi. Blowing agent introduced in the vent zone is incorporated into the extrusion mass as a solute in zone 4. This zone also serves to cool the extrudate to a temperature suitable for production of cellular foam.
  • the temperature of zone 4 is maintained at 270°F (132°C).
  • the temperature of the screws may also be controlled.
  • the screw temperature is maintained at 290 - 300°F (143 - 149°C).
  • the gaseous form of the blowing agent typically CO 2 or air, which is located at unit 18, is injected into the extruder via line 19 typically at zone 3 under pressures of 40 psi to 500 psi, preferably under 200 psi, in the vent region of the extruder.
  • the blowing agent and volatile gases given off by the wood flour are mixed with the plasticated material in zone 4 of the extruder under pressures of
  • the foam 20 is allowed to expand outward as it exits the die 16 producing a lightweight cellular product or alternatively is extruded as a hollow shape with the exterior being contained and cooled to produce a dense strong skin while the foam is allowed to expand into and fill the interior of the shape.
  • the cellular material can be produced by foaming outward from a die of a size and length necessary for production of the required pressure drop.
  • a die in the shape of a 3-inch by 0.5-inch slot with corner fillets 0.25 inch in radius was used.
  • the length of the slot was 2.25 inches.
  • Rigid foam with a density of 0.42 g/cm was produced from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (Equistar LB 010000) using this configuration.
  • HDPE high-density polyethylene
  • Foam density also is seen to decrease as the wood moisture level increases. This data indicates that low foam densities may be achieved through the process described here and that the addition of wood flour to the plastic resin enhances the foaming process.
  • the cellular material can be produced by extrusion of the wood plastic composite through a die designed to produce a hollow profile.
  • This type of die typically has a mandrel that forms the interior of the hollow.
  • This type of die may be of the type described in U. S. Patent 5,516,472 to Laver.
  • extruding the material through the stranding die develops the pressure needed for the incorporation of the blowing agent.
  • the foam produced in this way can be allowed to expand freely or can be contained. If the foam is to be contained, a cooled calibrator whose inner surface matches the desired shape of the member is attached to the die so that the mandrel extends into the cavity of the calibrator.
  • the specimens made from 20% wood foam were broken in flexure on a mechanical type universal testing machine (United Model SFM-10, Huntington Beach, CA). An automated testing procedure was used which uses deflection control and halts the test when a reduction in load occurs. For the 20% wood foam samples, the test stopped when the bottom flange failed. No failure had occurred in the foam core this time.
  • the members produced by co-extrusion are referred to as laminated members in the following paragraphs.
  • the flanges for the laminated members were made from a formulation containing 58% wood, 31% HDPE, 8% talc, 2% zinc stearate, and 1% EBS wax.
  • the formulation of the foam core material was 60% HDPE and 40% wood fiber. The same 60% - 40% formulation was used in the production of cellular composite members produced by simple extrusion (without high density flanges).
  • a laminated member consisting of high-density wood-plastic composite flanges with a foam core was produced by co-extrusion of the two materials.
  • the member was produced with a 2 inch wide by 6 inch deep cross section made up of a high density wood-plastic composite flange 2 inch wide by 0.9 inch deep on the top and bottom of the section with a 2 inch by 4.2 inch foam core between the two flanges.
  • the foam core contained 40% wood fiber in this instance.
  • a laminated member was co-extruded with a profile 5.5 inch wide by 1.4 inch deep consisting of a high-density wood-plastic composite flange 5.5 inch wide by 0.2 inch deep on the top and bottom with a foam core 5.5 inch wide by 1.0 inch deep between the two flanges.
  • the foam core again contained 40% wood fiber.
  • This profile was tested according to ASTM standard D6109 test method "A", flatwise testing. This configuration simulates use as decking material. Results of this test are shown in Table 5.
  • a member with a cross section 5.5 inch wide by 1 inch deep was produced by extrusion of cellular wood plastic composite through the process described above using die configuration 2. Use of this die configuration results in the formation of a dense skin on the surface of the profile. This skin adds strength and stiffness to the member. This profile was tested according to ASTM standard D6109, test method "A”, flatwise testing. Results of this test are shown in Table 6. Table 6 Stiffness and Strength of Cellular Composite Member
  • Tables 6 and 7 show that the low pressure foaming process may be used to produce members having a density within the range of natural solid wood that have sufficient material properties for use as building materials. Furthermore, the low-pressure foaming process may be used to produce intricate and decorative shapes with the outward appearance of finished natural wood.
EP02728999A 2001-04-26 2002-04-26 Geschäumter holz-plastic-verbund mit niedriger dichte und verfahren zu seiner herstellung Withdrawn EP1381642A1 (de)

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US28684801P 2001-04-26 2001-04-26
US286848P 2001-04-26
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CA2445076C (en) 2010-09-14
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CA2445076A1 (en) 2002-11-07
NZ529062A (en) 2005-10-28
AU2002259018B2 (en) 2007-11-08
JP2004525241A (ja) 2004-08-19
US7431872B2 (en) 2008-10-07

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